Adjustable barbed wire support assembly for fences



April 3, 1962 w. A. CRUMBO 3,028,147

ADJUSTABLE BARBED WIRE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR FENCES Filed Aug. 30, 1960 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM A CRUM BO TO N Ys nited States Patent ice 3,028,147 ABJUSTABLE BED WIRE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR FENCES William A. Crumbo, Kokomo, Ind, assignor to Continental Steel Corporation, Kokomo, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Aug. 30, 1960, Ser. No. 52,952 2 Claims. (Cl. 256-41) This invention relates to an adjustable barbed wire support assembly for mounting on the top of fences and particularly to an assembly in which the support for the barbed wire can be disposed at diiferent angles with respect to the vertical.

Many fences placed around commercial property today have mounted on the top thereof a plurality of parallel strands of barbed wire to increase the security afforded by the fence. The barbed wire is normally mounted on a support arm which in turn is carried by a post top which usually performs a multiplicity of functions which include, in addition to the mounting of the barbed wire support arm, the closure of the upper end of the associated fence post and the support of the top rail which usually forms a part of industrial fencing, particularly when of the chain link type. In certain installations it is desirable that the barbed wire support arm extend vertically upwardly thereby to give the maximum height of fence or barricade for a given type of fence post and support arm. In other cases, it is desirable to make it more difiicult to climb the fence either by persons on the inside or by persons on the outside of the enclosure defined by the fence, the barbed wire support arm normally being disposed inwardly in l the first case and outwardly in the second case with respect to the vertical. Often the additional strands of barbed wire are not needed immediately after erection of the fence but subsequent developments make it desirable to add to the fence the additional protection afforded by the strands of barbed wire.

Various structures for post tops and barbed wire support arms have been provided heretofore to provide the various structures and arrangements set forth above. Each of the prior devices has been lacking in some respect, certain of the prior devices requiring very complicated construction of the post tops and the support arms, yet other prior devices being insutficiently positive in positioning the support arms in respect to the post tops, and yet other constructions permitting the placement of the barbed wire support arms only in one or at most two predetermined angularities with respect to the vertical.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved barbed wire support assembly for fences, which assembly includes an improved post top and improved barbed wire support arm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a barbed wire support assembly of the type set forth which has improved structure to position the support arm with respect to the associated post top and with respect to the vertical.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved barbed wire support assembly of the type set forth in which the support arm can be positioned at a plurality of angularities with respect to the associated post top including a vertical position and positions disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical and directed toward either side of the associated fence.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved barbed wire support assembly of the type set forth in which the post top can be installed at the time of erection of the fence without the barbed wire and the associated support arms being installed thereon, and thereafter at any desired time the support arm and associated barbed wire can be mounted on the post top with- 3,028,147 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 out any modification of the post top or the erected fence.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved barbed wire support assembly of the type set forth in which the barbed wire support arms are more firmly held in the selected position thereof with respect to the associated post tops than in the prior art devices.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements whereby the above outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like parts throughout:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a fence embodying the adjustable barbed wire support assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the barbed wire support assembly of FIG. 1 and illustrating the support arm in an inclined position;

FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged perspective view of the barbed wire support assembly with the support arm in a vertical position;

FIG. 4 is a still further enlarged perspective fragmentary view of the upper portion of the post top; and

FIG. 5 is a still further enlarged perspective fragmentary view of an end of the barbed wire support arm.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a fence generally designated by the numeral 10 and embodying the features of the present invention, the fence 10 being particularly adapted for the protection of commercial property, and the like, and comprising fence posts 12, post tops 14, a top rail 16, chain link fencing 18 supported by the posts 12 and the top rail 16,

barbed wire support arms 20, and three strands of barbed wire 22 supported by the arms 20.

Each fence post 12 is hollow and usually formed of metal, the lower end thereof being generally pointed and adapted to be thrust into the ground and the upper end thereof being adapted to receive a post top 14 thereover. The post top 14, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a cap 24 which is generally rectangular in outline and has a recess therein adapted to receive the upper end of the fence post 12, whereby the cap 24 closes the upper end of the fence post 12. Aligned apertures are provided in the post 12 and the cap 24 to receive a rivet 26 therethrough which serves securely to mount the post top 14 upon the upper end of the post 12. Alternatively, the upper end of the post 12 may be externally threaded and the cap 24 may be internally threaded, whereby threadedly to interconnect the post 12 and the post top 14. The cap 24 includes an upwardly projecting yoke 30 having the lower end of each leg thereof integral with opposed edges of the cap with a web 28 extending therebetween and upwardly out of the upper surface of the cap 24. The yoke 30 and the web 28 define an aperture 32 which is adapted to receive therethrough the top rail 16 which is supported upon the upper edge of the web 28. Integral with the apex of the yoke 30 is an upwardly directed support member 34 best shown in FIG. 4 and having therethrough a substantially centrally disposed transverse opening 36, the longitudinal axis of the opening 36 being disposed parallel to and in the same vertical plane as the longitudinal axis of the aperture 32, both of the axes being disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fence post 12. A laterally extending shoulder 38 is formed at the junction of the yoke 30 and the support member 34 on each side of the post top 14 and at the base of the support member 34 and at substantially the apex of the yoke 30. A slot 40 is formed in each of the shoulders 38 at the base of the support member 34, the slots 40 being disposed in alignment with the opening 36 in the support member 34, each slot having substantially parallel side Walls with the longitudinal axis or center line of the slot substantially intersecting the axis of the opening 36, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, there is illustrated the barbed wire support arm 20 which includes a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced apart flanges 42 joined to a web 44, whereby the arm 20 is U-shaped in cross section. A plurality of wire retaining slots 46 is formed in the web 44, the slots 46- being longitudinally spaced along the web 44. The wire retaining slots 46 are adapted to receive and firmly to hold the associated strands of barbed wire 22 when the arm 20 is in the assembled position. The flanges 42 of the arm 20 are spaced apart a distance to receive therebetween the support member 34 and further are provided adjacent to one end thereof with holes 47 therein which are in alignment with each other and are adapted to be placed in alignment with the opening 36 in the support member 34 to receive a bolt 48 therethrough. One end of the bolt 48 is threaded and receives thereon a nut 49, whereby the bolt 48 and the nut 49 serve fixedly to secure the arm 20 upon the support member 34.

Means are provided to fix the arm 20 at a predetermined angularity with respect to the associated post 12, and to this end each of the flanges 42 has a tab 50 formed thereon at the end thereof adjacent to the holes 47. The tabs 50 extend longitudinally outwardly from the associated flanges 42 and are in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the support arm 20 which extends through the center of the holes 47, the side edges of the tabs being substantially parallel and the width of each tab corresponding substantially to the width of the slots 40, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 3. When the tabs 50 are positioned in the slots 40 on the post top 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the arm 20 extends vertically upwardly in alignment with the post 12 and the parts can be permanently secured in this position by means of the bolt 48 and the cooperating nut 49.

To arrange the support arm 20 at 45 with respect to the vertical, as is illustrated best in FIG. 2, a second tab 52 is formed on each of the flanges 42. More specifically, the second tabs 52 extend longitudinally outwardly from the flange 42 and are displaced 45 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm 20 which passes through the hole 47. Like the tabs 50, the tabs 52 project radially with respect to the respective openings 34, as best seen in FIG. 2, and have substantially parallel side edges, the width of the tabs 52 corresponding substantially to the Width of the slots 40. It is to be understood that the second tabs 52 are arranged in lateral alignmentupon their respective flanges 42 near the free edge thereof away from the web 44 and are adapted to cooperate with the slots 49 in positioning the arm 20 at 45 with respect to the vertical.

To assemble the fence 10, a post top 14 is first fixedly secured to the upper end of each fence post 12. Next, the pointed lower ends of the fence posts 12 are thrust into the ground in an arrangement whereby the posts 12 are horizontally spaced apart and in alignment. The top rail 16 is inserted into the apertures 32 in the post tops 14 to be supported upon the upper edges of the webs 28 thereof. Thereafter, the chain link fencing 18 is fastened to the top rail 16 and the fence posts 14 by clips (not shown) thereby forming a fence to surround cornmerci-al property or the like. The fence 10 may remain in this condition for a period of time before increased security may be required.

When it is desired to provide the fence 10 with maximum height, the barbed wire support arms 20 are arranged to extend vertically upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this position the flanges 42 of the support arms 20 are disposed in encompassing relationship with respect to the support member 3 4 of the post top 14 and the first tabs 50 are arranged in the slots 40 on the shoulders 38 of the post cap 24 so that the opening 36 in the support member '34, which is in vertical alignment with the slot 40, is disposed in alignment With the openings 47 in the flanges 42. The bolt 48 is inserted through the aligned opening 36 and the holes 47 and the nut 49 is threaded upon the bolt 48 to secure the support arm 20 firmly with respect to the support member 34. It is appreciated that the shoulders 3-8 which define the slots 40 of the post top 14 restrain any lateral movement of the first tabs 50 received in the slots 40 and serve positively to orient the support arm 20 in a vertical position. When the barbed wire support arms :20 have been arranged in the vertical position with respect to the fence post 12, a strand of barbed wire 22 is placed in the Wire retaining slots 46 and stretched along the fence 10.

When it is desired to make it more difficult to climb the fence 10 either by persons on the inside or by persons on the outside of the enclosure defined by the fence 10, the barbed wire support arms 20 are disposed respectively angularly inwardly and angularly outwardly as shown in FIG. 1. In this arrangement, the flanges 42 of the support arm 20 are disposed in encompassing relationship with respect to the support member 34 of the post top 14 illustrated in FIG. 2. The second tabs 52, formed on the lower ends of the flanges 42 and displaced 45 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support arm 20 are arranged in the slots 40 of the post top 14 so that the opening 36 in the support member 34 is disposed in alignment with the holes 47 in the flanges 42. The bolt 48 is inserted through the aligned opening 36 and the holes 47 and the nut 49 is threaded upon the bolt 48 to secure the support arm 20* firmly with respect to the post top 14 at an angle of 45 with respect to the vertical axis of the fence post 12. Thus it will be seen that the ShOlll'. ders 38 which define the slots 40 of the post top 14 restrain any lateral movement of the second tabs 52 received in the slots 40 and serve positively to orient the support arm 20 in the angular position. After the barbed wire support arms 20 have been arranged in the angular position with respect to the fence posts 12, a strand of barbed wire 22 is positioned in the wire restraining slots 46 and stretched along the fence 10. If it is desired to direct the wire support arms 20 to the opposite side of the fence as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is only necessary to remove the bolts 48 from the aligned openings 36 and the holes 47 and to draw the bolts 48 therethrough. The support arms 20 can then be removed from the support members 34 and the second tabs 52 from the slots 40. The direction of angularity of the support arm 20 can then be adjusted to point the outer ends of the arms towards the opposite side of the fence 10 and in the desired direction. The second tabs 52 that are angularly disposed with respect to the openings 47 in the flanges 42 are then placed in the slots 40 so that the holes 47 are aligned with the openings 36 in the support members 34 and the bolts 48 can be inserted therethrough and the nuts 49 placed thereon and suitably tightened so as to secure the support arms 20 in a rigid angular position on the post tops 14. The strands of barbed wire 22 are then strung along the respective support arms 20 so as to complete the fence 10.

In view of the foregoing it will be understood that the support arm 20 can be positioned at a plurality of angularities with respect to the post top 14 including a vertical position as shown in FIG. 3, and positions disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and directed toward either side of the fence 10.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An adjustable barbed wire support assembly for fences, comprising a post top provided with an upwardly projecting support member having a transverse opening therethrough, a laterally extending shoulder on said post top below said opening, said shoulder having a slot therein having substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and having a longitudinal axis intersecting the axis of said opening, a barbed wire support arm having an opening adjacent one of its ends, a pair of discrete tabs projecting from said end of said support arm radially with respect to said opening in said arm and angularly with respect to each other, said tabs respectively having sub stantially parallel side edges and having a width substantially corresponding to the space between said side walls of said slot, and means extending through said opening in said support member and through said opening in said arm for mounting said arm upon said support member, said tabs being alternately and selectively received in said slot for selectively and rigidly fixing the angular position of said arm with respect to said support member.

2. An adjustable barbed wire support for fences, comprising a post top provided with an upwardly projecting support member having a transverse opening therethrough, laterally extending shoulders on opposite sides of said post top below said opening, each of said shoulders having a slot therein having substantially parallel spaced apart side Walls and having a longitudinal axis substantially intersecting the axis of said opening, a barbed wire support arm having a U-shaped cross section including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart flanges extending longitudinally of said arm, said flanges having aligned openings therein adjacent one end thereof, a pair of discrete tabs projecting from said end of each of said flanges, each of said pairs of tabs projecting radially with respect to said opening in the associated flange and projecting angularly with respect to each other, each of said tabs having substantially parallel side edges and having a Width substantially corresponding to the space between said side walls of said slots, and means extending through said opening in said support member and through said openings in said flanges for mounting said arm upon said support member in straddlng fashion with said flanges on opposite sides of said support member, said tabs of each pair being alternately and selectively received in said respective slots for selectively and rigidly fixing the angular position of said arm with respect to said support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,773,519 Cox Aug. 19, 1930 

